Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As Fall settles in, I’m filled with gratitude to be back home on the Central Coast after an intense end-of-session sprint in Sacramento. The beauty and serenity of this region never fails to help me recharge. I’m excited to share the impactful legislation that has made its way to the Governor’s desk, reflecting the hard work my staff and I have done to advocate for all Californians. From expanding access to safe drinking water to advancing electoral reforms, these efforts touch on some of the most pressing issues our state faces.
In my role as Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, I focused on ensuring that even in a tough budget year, we maintained funding for K-12 schools and community colleges, provided a modest cost-of-living increase, protected the Middle Class Scholarship program, and boosted funding for higher education. Additionally, I made sure that schools impacted by disasters have the flexibility they need to continue their recovery efforts without financial disruption, and protected funding for vital student housing like the joint project between UC Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College.
Today, we also mark National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day! The Central Coast, and particularly the 17th Senate District, boasts some of the finest olive oil producers in the country. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the agricultural richness that defines our region alongside the laborers & farmers whose dedication keeps it thriving.
Heading into the new season, I look forward to continuing our work together for a brighter, stronger California.
Warm Regards,
JOHN LAIRD
Senator, 17th District
Today marks the final day for the Governor to sign bills, and I am pleased to announce that he has already signed all 12 bills presented during this second year of the 2023-2024 session. Combined with the 17 bills signed last year, my team and I have successfully advanced 29 pieces of legislation benefiting the 17th Senate District. One of those bills is SB 1280 which will promote sustainable outdoor recreation and help rid our treasured parks and beaches of scenarios like the one I am holding here on the Senate floor. For the full list of signed bills, please see below.
SB 977 – Establishes an independent redistricting commission in the County of San Luis Obispo for the five county supervisorial seats that make up the County Board of Supervisors. Signed into Law
SB 1046 – Requires CalRecycle to develop a program environmental impact report for small and medium compost facilities to accelerate local infrastructure development while maintaining comprehensive and thorough environmental review. Signed into Law
SB 1064 – Simplifies the licensing process for commercial cannabis activities by adding a combined activities license classification, which allows for two or more commercial cannabis activities, except testing, at the same premises to be authorized under a single license and, streamlines the submission of owner-related information. Signed into Law
SB 1097 – Updates the Military and Veteran Code to use gender inclusive language, clarifies that benefits and protections provided to surviving spouses are also available to domestic partners, and closes a minor loophole to clarify only service members on active military orders shall be exempt from jury duty. Signed into Law
SB 1117 – Makes several technical changes intended to enhance the integrity of organic products sold in the state, ensuring the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s State Organic Program has adequate mechanisms to enforce organic standards. Signed into Law
SB 1150 – Updates a chapter title of the California Family code to align with the section’s gender-neutral language, ensuring all Californians regardless of gender identity are able to restore their former name following the end of their marriage. Signed into Law
SB 1188 – Advances safe drinking water access for Californians by establishing minimum standards of operational capacity in small water systems serving less than 3,300 service connections or 10,000 people. Signed into Law
SB 1190 – Clarifies that mobilehome residents can install solar energy systems on their mobilehomes. Signed into Law
SB 1278 – Directs the Governor to annually declare December 1st as World AIDS Day in California. Signed into Law
SB 1280 – Requires propane cylinders sold in the state to be refillable or reusable starting January 1, 2028. This bill will promote sustainable outdoor recreation as millions of cylinders are improperly disposed of each year, becoming health and safety hazards. Signed into Law
SB 1440 – Authorizes the Stony Creek Joint Unified School District to operate on a 4-day school week to ensure the school district can meet unique needs of their rural and tribal community. Signed into Law
SB 1473 – Streamlines reporting methods for sexual offender risk scores by allowing certified treatment professionals to directly submit scores into the existing database, thereby ensuring accurate and timely scores are being provided to law enforcement agencies. Signed into Law
I addressed the California Coastal Commission when they convened in Monterey to emphasize my support for MST’s SURF! Busway Project. In 2022, I secured $2.5 million in funding for this project, which aims to enhance coastal access for underserved communities and expand public transit options along the coast. Thank you to the Commission and its staff for their support of this project. Projects like this are crucial in breaking down barriers like Monterey County’s “lettuce curtain”.
In parallel, I’ve also been a strong advocate for environmental protections along our coast. I was an early and steadfast supporter of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, a designation that will be finalized by year’s end. This sanctuary, which will span an area slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut, will safeguard the precious waters and habitat of the Central Coast, preserving them for generations to come.
Meanwhile, residents across Santa Cruz County have voiced their concerns with SB 620 introduced by Senate President Pro Tem McGuire, which relates to low-impact camping areas. While key amendments were taken that balanced the goal of the bills with the reality rural communities face regarding wildfire safety, the bill ultimately did not reach the Governor’s desk.
It’s my hope that you will take a moment to look at some of the incredible places I have been throughout the month. From agriculture to housing and clean energy, the 17th Senate District is home to compassionate and forward-thinking leaders who embody the California values we cherish.
Innovation is happening at Morgan Hill Unified with their FarmTech program! They are growing all of their lettuce on-site while using significantly less water, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable agriculture and resource efficiency. Here I am inside one of their Freight Farms with their Head Farmer and Nutrition Director.
Congrats to Housing Matters for beginning construction of the Harvey West Studios, which is slated to be Santa Cruz County’s largest permanent supportive housing project.
The Anderson Hotel was acquired by the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo County (HASLO) last year and recently welcomed new residents. After a thorough renovation, the building now offers 68 affordable housing units, providing much-needed homes for the community.
I had the honor of presenting a Joint Legislative Resolution to retiring Santa Cruz Supervisor Bruce McPherson, recognizing his leadership in establishing Central Coast Community Energy (3CE). This took place at their annual luncheon, where I had the privilege of serving as the keynote speaker.
The SLO Food Bank has been a leading force in addressing food insecurity throughout San Luis Obispo County. Thank you for the tour and for the incredible work you do to support our community.
It was an honor to join the City of Seaside in touring several key initiatives focused on environmental stewardship, housing development, and water access.
September is National Recovery Month and it was my pleasure to join Asm. Pellerin and Janus of Santa Cruz at the groundbreaking for the first perinatal treatment center in Watsonville. Once opened it can serve up to 25 women and their families.
CA’s constitution doesn’t recognize marriage equality. Prop 3 would fix that
Gov. Newsom signs SLO County’s independent redistricting commission bill into law
Construction for Santa Cruz County’s largest homeless housing project kicks off
Coastal Commission approves MST Surf! busway in 7-1 vote
NOAA reveals official vision for Chumash marine sanctuary on Central Coast. ‘A huge moment’
Janus breaks ground on Watsonville perinatal treatment center